Regulating the Cloud

Trai invited consultative papers to explore regulatory framework for cloud computing

Steve Jobs created a fresh stir in early June when he announced that Apple would offer 5GB of storage free for Apple users who can store movies, music and files on the Apple Cloud. Windows also offers a free Cloud service called Sky Drive. What perhaps did not create a stir, but should have, is the Indian government’s desire to monitor the Cloud.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has invited consultative papers to ‘explore’ a regulatory framework for cloud computing. These could well set the stage for a regulatory framework of some sort. On the agenda for now is monitoring of data, security, data export restrictions and legal framework for jurisdiction.

The Cloud is a bit of a mystery, not as much in concept, since it simply means storing information on a central server or database as opposed to your computer, but in practice, since this means it’s very difficult to track information if it cannot be accessed. Of equal concern are the risks involved. Some 75 million users’ passwords and personal data on Sony’s Playstation Network were recently hacked into, sending tremors through the digital world.

The question is: If Sony can be hacked, then what’s the chance that a Microsoft, Apple or Google cannot be? Trai’s move is welcome inasmuch as the government is thinking about Cloud computing. On the other hand, overt regulation can be worrisome.

 

The story is an edited excerpt reprinted with permission from www.indiaspend.com